Chris Harrison Defends Choosing Nick Viall As The Bachelor 2017

Many in the Bachelor Nation were up in arms about Nick Viall being chosen The Bachelor 2017 over popular picks from JoJo Fletcher’s season of The Bachelorette, such as Luke Pell and Chase McNary. But host Chris Harrison is defending the choice, declaring that Nick is “ready” for the responsibility.

In an interview prior to Sunday night’s Miss America competition, Harrison put out a message to the Bachelor Nation:

“The fans, god bless ‘em, are rabid, they’re excited and they are passionate, which I love,” he stated. “Luke was a front-runner, he was definitely in the mix. He’s a great guy, and maybe he will be the Bachelor someday. But this is Nick’s time, and hopefully Bachelor Nation will get behind him.”

Harrison explained that Nick was chosen because he has the better story, with his troubled history on The Bachelorette, where he was runner-up for Season 10 Bachelorette Andi Dorfman, and Season 11 Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe.

“Nick’s a sincere guy. He’s worked, he’s fallen in love, he’s ready for that, so that’s important to us,” Harrison noted. “When you’re looking at Luke, looking at Nick, or anyone we considered to be the Bachelor, we have to look at that person and say, ‘Okay, who’s ready? Who’s actually sincere and ready to go on this journey?'”

Needless to say, Nick Viall has been one of the most divisive picks in the history of the franchise. The only person I can think who might have caused such unrest in the fans would have been Brad Womack on his second turn as The Bachelor. But who knows? This could be the most dramatic season yet (oh hell, now I sound like Chris Harrison). I guess we’ll see how this all pans out when The Bachelor premieres in January.

Source: YouTube

But what do you think about Nick Viall as The Bachelor, and Chris Harrison’s defense of their choice? Sound off in the comments!